Hiking the Atacama Desert - 10 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Explore

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival in Santiago, a driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure. You could hike to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal, the most magnificent viewpoint in Santiago, stroll the cobblestone streets of fashionable Barrio Bellavista, visit the Plaza de Armas, located in Santiago's historical center, or snap some pictures in front of the Palacio de la Moneda. 

For dinner, enjoy a culinary adventure in the city. In recent years, Santiago has emerged as a global foodie destination. Chilean chefs are reinventing traditional dishes like empanadas, cazuelas (stews), and seafood, with ingredients harvested all the way from the northern deserts and southern Patagonian regions. You can find great restaurants and wine bars not only in the Bellavista neighborhood but also in the revitalized historic barrios of Yungay and Italia.

Day 2: Fly to Calama, Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama

Transfer by private car to the airport and catch a flight to the city of Calama in northern Chile. When you arrive, another driver will meet you for the 1.5-hour drive to the desert outpost of San Pedro de Atacama, the embarkation point for all excursions and adventures into the Atacama Desert. This high-altitude desert abounds with seemingly endless salt flats, painted hills that change color depending on the light, towering Andean peaks, and the volcanic Cordillera Domeyko, whose flaming red mountains form the base of the Valle de la Luna.

Upon arrival in San Pedro de Atacama, check into your hotel and use the remainder of the day to enjoy the town however you see fit. San Pedro is small, and you can walk around the entire town in about 15 minutes. It's unique in Chile in that there is quite a bit of pre-Spanish Indigenous influence here. You'll find many souvenir shops selling basketwork, ceramic pottery, and artisan crafts. Visit the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, which dates back to 1540, or enjoy some Chilean or international food at one of the local restaurants.

Day 3: Hiking in Cuchabrache & Valle de la Luna, Evening of Stargazing

Leave San Pedro de Atacama and head toward Catarpe. This lush valley is located in the middle of the Cordillera de la Sal and is nourished by the rushing waters of the Río San Pedro. Follow the river until you reach the area known as Cuchabrache. Once here, start hiking to the summit plateau. From the top, you'll have spectacular views of the valley, contrasting with the dry Cordillera de la Sal and towering volcanoes in the distance. Afterward, walk for about 2.5 hours, surrounded by spectacular geological formations. The hike ends when you reach a tunnel that was once part of an old road to Calama.

After lunch, drive toward a different section of the Cordillera de la Sal. Your hike starts in the Valle de la Luna at the famous Coyote Rock, a strange rock formation offering an unrivaled vantage point over the mountain range. Walk for two hours by the Kari Gorge, admiring beautiful views of the Atacama. Later, eat dinner back in San Pedro de Atacama, then head out for a star-filled astronomy outing. At the start of the tour, you'll get an overview of the Andean night sky, followed by open-air stargazing and guided observations by telescope. 

Day 5: Hike to Guatín, Soak in the Puritama Hot Springs

Head northeast for a scenic four-hour hike that starts at Punta del Inca. Follow the course of the river up through the ravine until you reach the settlement of Guatín. There, you will enjoy a picnic lunch. The hike then winds along a slope through ancient settlements and 100-year-old cacti. It's a scenic, rocky trail that leads to the Puritama Hot Springs. At the springs, you can relax in rejuvenating mineral water and refuel with snacks before returning to San Pedro for the evening. 

Day 6: Hike from Machuca Village to Río Grande Village

Today's outing begins in the village of Machuca, situated at 13,123 feet (4,000 m) above sea level. The hike starts with a descent through a desert moor toward a picturesque gorge, passing through lands used by shepherd caravans. Stop for lunch midway at an abandoned homestead called Peñaliri. After lunch, continue hiking downriver until you reach the village of Río Grande, where you'll catch your ride back to San Pedro de Atacama. Spend the evening exploring the restaurants and craft markets of San Pedro. 

Day 9: See the Tatio Geysers & Cerro Copa Coya

Set off after breakfast for one of San Pedro's most dramatic sights, the Tatio Geysers. At an altitude of 14,271 feet (4,350 m), this geyser field is full of sputtering and steaming fumaroles of volcanic origin. After taking in the dramatic scene, take a hike from the geothermal field around Cerro Copa Coya. This hike follows trails that offer extraordinary views over the Tatio Geysers. Finish with a well-deserved lunch overlooking Tatio's steam columns. Tonight, you'll enjoy a farewell dinner back in San Pedro de Atacama. 

Day 10:Transfer to Calama, Depart 

On your last day, you'll have breakfast, followed by a private transfer back to Calama Airport. Have a safe journey home, or to your next destination!